Ohio 159 road work includes intersection improvement

Motorists travel along Ohio 159 near the intersection of Kenworth Drive on Tuesday where a new turn lane is among work being done by the Ohio Department of Transportation.
(Photo:
Frank Robertson/Gazette
)

CHILLICOTHE – Motorists and two of the city’s largest employers located across the street from each other are expected to benefit from intersection and turn lane improvements to an often congested portion of Ohio 159 as part of a project expected to wrap up this fall.

The $1.6 million project being led by the Ohio Department of Transportation includes an intersection improvement being made at Ohio 159 and Kenworth Drive, as well as the addition and lengthening of turn lanes. The intersection improvements came about as a result of a partnership between ODOT and the local business community, said Kathleen Fuller, ODOT District 9 spokeswoman.

Fuller said with the recent expansions at Adena and Kenworth, that intersection has become increasingly busy, especially around shift changes at Kenworth.

“With the influx of more traffic, the affected roads have become more congested for the local motorists, the residents, the businesses, professional complexes and their customers,” she said.

Because of concerns about congestion, discussion about some type of improvements being made first emerged in 2005, when Adena Health System was working to expand its facility, Fuller said. At the time, ODOT required a traffic impact study, which led Adena to hire a traffic engineering firm to perform the work and consultants to design a project, she added. However, a lack of funding kept the project from advancing to the construction stage.

The origin of the current project dates back to 2011, when Kenworth planned its own expansion, Fuller said. She also noted ODOT has worked with both Adena and Kenworth to implement the improvements on Ohio 159.

“And given that infrastructure is a key component to economic development, this construction project will serve the immediate, growing economic base of the community while enhancing and improving regional mobility,” Fuller said. “It is imperative to address the needs of motorists while supporting the growth of business and industry in the area, and this project will do both.”

Work in the area also will bring the replacement and upgrade of an existing traffic signal.

Area drivers should benefit from turn lanes being added onto Ohio 159 at the intersection with Kenworth Drive, including a westbound through/right turn lane on Kenworth and an eastbound lane on Loop Road (Adena Drive). In addition, the installation of a northbound right turn lane at the northern right in/right out entrance to Kenworth across from Claybourne Heights also will be part of the work being performed.

Once initial construction is completed, Fuller said, the public will then see the roadway improvements, such as additional turn lanes and signalization upgrades. She noted what won’t be readily seen by people is that the work is “an initial improvement to support economic development in the coming years.

“Certainly, the biggest benefit for the nearly 9,000 motorists who travel through this area will be improved safety and better mobility,” Fuller said. “However, there is also the additional, tremendous benefit to the area and region with respect to economic development and the potential for future growth in the ever-expanding business community.”

Mark Shuter, president and CEO of Adena Health System, said the enhancements along Ohio 159 at the entrance to Adena “will be a welcome relief for our patients and employees.”

“For many years, the delays and backups at various times of the day have been a subject of frustration for many,” he said. “With ODOT widening the roadway and adding turn lanes, we anticipate fewer problems and improved access for patients who are traveling to and from our facilities for their medical care.”

Adena Health System had a half-million patient visitors to its campus in 2013, which includes visits to the main hospital, same-day surgery, physician clinics and its cancer center, according to hospital spokeswoman Maria Smith. Shuter said with an increasing number of patients having procedures on an outpatient basis, he expects the trend to continue.

“Ease of access is an important factor when patients make a decision about where to get their medical treatment. For the most part, we shop, worship and eat at places that are close to home,” he said. “The same should hold true for our health care. If I can get in and out of Adena easily, and I can receive the same quality care of anyplace else, why would I travel into a congested area an hour away?”